Friday, 22 April 2011

Open source

1.0Introduction

Open source software (OSS) is defined as computer software for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms. It is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open source software is the most prominent example of open source development and often compared to user-generated content. The term open source software originated as part of a marketing campaign for free software.

Hardware is a general term that refers to the physical artifacts of a technology. It may also mean the physical components of a computer system, in the form of computer hardware.

Software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system. Software includes websites, programs, etc. that are coded by programming languages like C, C++, etc.

2.0The Latest Open Source Operating System (OS)

2.1Meaning of open source OS

Open source is an approach to design, development, and distribution offering practical accessibility to a product's source (goods and knowledge). Some consider open source as one of various possible design approaches, while others consider it a critical strategic element of their operations. Before open source became widely adopted, developers and producers used a variety of phrases to describe the concept; the term open source gained popularity with the rise of the Internet, which provided access to diverse production models, communication paths, and interactive communities.

An Operating System is a software program or set of programs that mediate access between physical devices (such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, disk drive or network connection) and application programs (such as a word processor, World-Wide Web browser or electronic mail client).

Open source operating system is a software program or a set of program that medicateaccess between physical devices that is approach to design , development , anddistribution offering practical accessibility product source.

2.2Examples of open source OS

Linux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. It is release on 20 May 2009. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed by anyone under the terms of the GNU GPL and other free licenses.

Linux is predominantly known for its use in servers, although it is installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from embedded devices and mobile phones to supercomputers. Linux distributions, installed on both desktop and laptop computers, have become increasingly commonplace in recent years, owing largely to the popular Ubuntudistribution and to the emergence of netbooks.

The name "Linux" comes from the Linux kernel, originally written in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. The rest of the system, including utilities and libraries, usually comes from the GNU operating system announced in 1983 by Richard Stallman. The GNU contribution is the basis for the Free Software Foundations preferred name GNU/Linux.

PC-BSD is a Unix-like, desktop-oriented operating system based on FreeBSD .It is release on 10 April 2009. It aims to be easy to install by using a graphical installation program, and easy and ready-to-use immediately by providing KDE as the default, pre-installed graphical user interface. PC-BSD provides official binary nVidia and Intel drivers for easy hardware acceleration and an optional 3D desktop interface through Compiz Fusion. PC-BSD also contains a package management system which allows users to graphically install pre-built software packages from a single downloaded executable file, something uncommon on open source operating system. In August 2006 it was voted the most beginner friendly operating system by OSWeekly.com.

Since October 10, 2006 PC-BSD has been supported by the enterprise-class hardware solution provider iXsystems. In November 2007, iXsystems entered into a distribution agreement with Fry's Electronics whereby Fry's Electronics stores nationwide carry boxed copies of PC-BSD version 1.4 (De Vinci Edition). In January 2008, iXsystems entered into a similar agreement with Micro Center.

3.0The Latest Open Source Application Software

3.1Meaning of open source application software

Application software is the general designation of computer programs for performing user tasks. Application software may be general purpose (word processing, web browsers) or have a specific purpose (accounting, truck scheduling). Application software contrasts with system software, a generic term referring to the computer programs used to start and run computer systems and networks; and programming tools, such as compilers and linkers, used to translate and combine computer program source code and libraries into executable programs (programs that will belong to one of the three said categories).

Open source is an approach to design, development, and distribution offering practical accessibility to a product's source (goods and knowledge).

Open source application software is the general designation of computer program for performing user tasks that is approach to design, development, and distribution offering practical accessibility to a product source.

3.2Examples of open source application software

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free, open source, cross-platform e-mail and news client developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It latest release is on 18 March 2009. The project strategy is modeled after Mozilla Firefox, a project aimed at creating a web browser. On December 7, 2004, version 1.0 was released, and received over 500,000 downloads in its first three days of release, and 1,000,000 in 10 days. Originally launched as Minotaur shortly after Phoenix (the original name for Mozilla Firefox), the project failed to gain momentum. With the success of the latter, however, demand increased for a mail client to go with it, and the work on Minotaur was revived under the new name, and migrated to the new toolkit developed by the Firefox team.

Jokosher is a free, non-linear multi-trak audio editor, the source code of which is released under the GNU GPL .It latest release is on 24 February 2009. It is being developed in Python, using the GTK+ interface and GStreamer as an audio back-end, for the Linux operating system; although future versions may have ports to other operating systems.

It was released to the public on July 21, 2006. Version 0.2 was publicly released on November 20, 2006 and it included support for LADSPA effects, and extensions. It also addressed many bugs present that made version 0.1 unusable. At the beginning of 2006, Jono Bacon was dissatisfied with the available free and open source Linux multi-track editors, and used Cubase instead to produce LugRadio, a Linux fortnightly podcast. He later on conceived the idea of what initially was Jonoedit. The name Jokosher came later, a pun on the name Jo- no-bacon. The aim was to create a open source multi-track editor that was easy to use, so the user did not require an understanding of multi-track recording.

4.0Latest Development in ICT

4.1Hardware (state specification OR special features of ONE hardware and compare it to previous model.

Easy to set up and use; wireless settings automatically configurable by pressing a button on your router

Monochromes laser printer

Compatibility

Can fit virtually any desktop or shelf

32MB of memory standard for faster processing and PCL emulation

4.2Software(state year/date of release, special features of ONE software and compare itto previous versions)

Name

VLC Media Player 1.0.0 RC2

VLC Media Player 1.0.0 RC3

File Size

18.06 MB

17.86MB

Requirement

Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/XP64/Vista64

Windows2000/XP/2003/Vista/XP64/Vista64

Date Release

28 May 2009

8 June 2009

License

Open source

Open source

Author

VideoLAN.org

VideoLAN.org

Features

Can play:

MPEG-1,MPEG-2 and MPEG-4

DVDs, VCDs, and Audio CDs

Several types of network streams such as HTTP,RTSP,MS and etc.

Can play:

MPEG-1,MPEG-2 and MPEG-4

DVDs, VCDs, and Audio CDs

Several types of network streams such as HTTP,RTSP,MS and etc.

From satellite cards (DVB-S)

5.0Pervasive Computing

5.1Meaning of pervasive computing

Refers to the use of computers in everyday life, including PDAs, smart phones and other mobile devices. It also refers to computers contained in commonplace objects such as cars and appliances and implies that people are unaware of their presence. One of the Holy Grails of this environment is that all these devices communicate with each other over wireless networks without any interaction required by the user. See pervasive workplace.

5.2Examples of pervasive computing(2)

The Canon Power Shot A520 is the latest in a long line of well-built digital cameras from Canon. Canon U.S.A. has long been a strong contender in the film and digital camera markets, well-known for its high-quality optics, technical innovations, and aggressive product development. The 4.0-megapixel Canon A520 updates this extensive line with a longer-ratio zoom lens, more compact form factor, and a few other unique features, increasing the camera's already great flexibility.

Last year, Canon's Power Shot A80 found itself in the Dave's Pick category, offering excellent usability and great picture quality at a low price. This year, the Canon Power Shot A520 continues the series, adding a 4x zoom lens (vs the A80's 3x design), but in most other respects simply carrying forward the features of the previous A80 model. The camera accommodates a wide range of users with its variable level of exposure control. Experienced shooters will appreciate the Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes, while novices will find the Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes useful.

ADT Security Services Customer Monitoring Centers help protect the people and things you value most, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is a comprehensive network of four interconnected command centers strategically located throughout the United States. The investment made in technology - and the systems in place to back it up - illustrates a deep commitment to customers' safety and security.When a home security alarm is received, ADT can call the local authorities for help so they can respond to an emergency at your home.

6.0Conclusion

From this assessment we can know about the meaning of open source software, hardware, and software. Open source software is a source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license. Hardware and software is used to described the physical component of computer and collection of computer programs , procedures and documentation. Besides that, we also can know about the open source operating system or open source OS. It is a software program or a set of program that is used to design, development, and distribution offering practical accessibility product source. There are many types of open source OS. Two of the examples are Linux and PC-BSD. In this assignment , we also can find the meaning of application software . The meaning is the general designation of computer programs for performing user tasks. Open source application software is the general designation of computer programs for design, development, and distributing offering practical accessibility to product users . Examples of open source application software is Mozilla Thunderbird and Jokosher. There are many computer hardware such as printer. One example of printer brand is Brother HL printer. Examples of computer software are VLC Media Player. We also can know about pervasive computing. We use pervasive computing in our everyday life. Two examples of pervasive computing are digital camera and home alarm.